"High Falls, DuPont State Forest"

Transylvania County, NC

(30 X 24 oil on canvas)

High Falls is another of the extraordinary waterfalls to be found a DuPont State Park.  This scene was made from a series of photographs made in May, 2012 with the water a little higher than normal but definitely not under flood conditions.  I've also revisited these falls several times when the water levels were lower with the rocks more accessible.  Numerous trips to the site help me to see particulars that don't seem to come out right from photos as well as re-energize after lay-offs.  

The roof seen protruding from the trees at the top of the falls is actually a covered bridge crossing the Little River.  Provides a great view of the water as it begins its descent over the falls. 

I enjoyed studying and painting the rocks found here as they changed the course of the water flowing across them.  Charting the flow of the water was challenging as well as fun.  There was the cascading water tumbling over the rocks, sheer drops straight down as a rock ledge ended, and the sheeting of water as it slid down the sloping rocks.